Apparatus, driving-in device and method

Abstract

An apparatus, comprising a control element, which stops in a stopping position during a recurring sequence of movements, a control device, which is intended for controlling stopping of the control element in the stopping position by at least one control parameter, a detection device for detecting an actual stopping position of the control element at the time of a stopping of the control element, the control device being suitable for forming a difference between the actual stopping position and a desired stopping position of the control element and adapting the control parameter for a subsequent sequence of movements of the control element if the difference exceeds a predetermined desired value.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A driving device for driving a fastening element into a base material, the driving device comprising a power unit; a driving element, which is driven by the power unit from a starting position into a setting position, in order to drive a fastening element into the base material; a clutch device configured to hold the driving element in the starting position when the driving element is engaged in the clutch device; a control element that returns the driving element from the setting position into the starting position and that stops in a stopping position during a recurring sequence of movements; a motor that drives the control element a control device configured to control stopping the control element in the stopping position by at least one control parameter; and a coupling sensor that transmits a signal to the control device upon at least one of the driving element's engaging in the clutch device and closing the clutch device; wherein the control device is configured to count revolutions or commutations of the motor after receipt of the signal transmitted by the coupling sensor and before stopping the motor, to form a difference between an actual stopping position and a desired stopping position of the control element and to adapt the at least one control parameter for a subsequent sequence of movements of the control element if the difference exceeds a predetermined desired value. 
     
     
       2. The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control element reverses direction of movement of the control element during the recurring sequence of movements in the stopping position. 
     
     
       3. The driving device as claimed in  claim 1 , the power unit comprising a potential energy store, for storing potential energy by which the driving element is driven, and an energy transmission device for transmitting energy from an energy source to the potential energy store. 
     
     
       4. The driving device as claimed in  claim 3 , the energy transmission device comprising the control element, and the control element being moved into the stopping position in order to store potential energy in the potential energy store. 
     
     
       5. The driving device as claimed in  claim 3 , the energy transmission device comprising a spindle drive, which has a threaded spindle and a spindle nut, the control element comprising the threaded spindle or the spindle nut. 
     
     
       6. The driving device of  claim 3 , wherein the energy store comprises a spring. 
     
     
       7. The driving device as claimed in  claim 1 , the at least one control parameter comprising an electrical voltage, a current intensity, a rotational speed and/or a switching-off time of the motor during the recurring sequence of movements. 
     
     
       8. The driving device of  claim 1 , wherein the driving element comprises a piston. 
     
     
       9. A method for controlling a setting device for driving a fastening element into a base material, the setting device comprising a driving element, a clutch device, a control element, and a motor, the method comprising driving the driving element from a starting position into a setting position, in order to drive a fastening element into the base material; holding the driving element in the starting position when the driving element is engaged in the clutch device; returning the driving element from the setting position into the starting position in a recurring sequence of movements of the control element controlling stopping of the control element in a stopping position by at least one control parameter; transmitting a signal to the control device upon at least one of the driving element's engaging in the clutch device and closing the clutch device; counting revolutions or commutations of the motor after receipt of the signal and before stopping the motor; forming a difference between an actual stopping position and a desired stopping position of the control element and adapting the at least one control parameter for a subsequent sequence of movements of the control element if the difference exceeds a predetermined desired value. 
     
     
       10. The method as claimed in  claim 9 , including reversing a direction of movement of the control element during the recurring sequence of movements in the stopping position. 
     
     
       11. The method as claimed in  claim 9 , the setting device comprising a potential energy store, for storing potential energy by which the driving element is driven, and an energy transmission device for transmitting energy from an energy source to the potential energy store. 
     
     
       12. The method as claimed in  claim 11 , the energy transmission device comprising the control element, and the control element being moved into the stopping position in order to store potential energy in the potential energy store. 
     
     
       13. The method as claimed in  claim 9 , the at least one control parameter comprising an electrical voltage, a current intensity, a rotational speed and/or a switching-off time of the motor during the recurring sequence of movements.